SHREVEPORT, La. — Average gasoline prices in Shreveport increased 3.6 cents per gallon over the past week, averaging $2.37 per gallon today, according to a survey of 177 stations by GasBuddy.
Prices in the Shreveport market are 10.8 cents higher than a month ago but remain 26.9 cents lower than this time last year. The national average price of diesel rose 2.9 cents from a week ago to $3.614 per gallon.
According to GasBuddy price reports, the lowest-priced station in Shreveport was selling gasoline for $2.18 per gallon on Sunday, while the highest-priced station was listed at $2.69 per gallon, a spread of 51 cents. Across Louisiana, prices ranged from a low of $1.79 per gallon to a high of $3.16 per gallon, a difference of $1.37.
Nationally, the average price of gasoline rose 1.2 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.84 per gallon. That figure is up 5.4 cents from a month ago but stands 24.9 cents lower than a year ago, based on more than 11 million weekly price reports covering over 150,000 stations nationwide.
Historical data show Shreveport gasoline prices were $2.64 per gallon one year ago, $2.71 per gallon two years ago and $3.07 per gallon three years ago. Five years ago, the local average stood at $2.15 per gallon. Over the same periods, the national averages were $3.09, $3.19, $3.39 and $2.47 per gallon, respectively.
Prices in nearby markets also moved higher over the past week. Gasoline averaged $2.40 per gallon in Little Rock, up 3.5 cents, while Dallas prices climbed 15.4 cents to $2.60 per gallon. The statewide average in Louisiana increased 4.3 cents to $2.41 per gallon.
“The national average price of gasoline only edged slightly higher last week, but nine of the ten largest weekly price movements were increases, led by West Coast states as California begins the transition to summer gasoline,” said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy. “Most states saw relatively minor fluctuations, but we’re now starting to see seasonal trends take hold on the West Coast, with those pressures expected to gradually push eastward in the weeks ahead.”
De Haan added that strengthening seasonal demand could push the national average back above $3 per gallon for part of the spring despite slightly lower oil prices last week.